Patricia Anne Kisman

Patricia Anne Kisman passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at the Agape Hospice in Calgary, AB at the age of 78 years, surrounded by her loving sons and family. She was the cherished mother of sons Derek and Stephen, mother-in-law to Sarah, grandmother to Evan and Alyssa, and aunt to many wonderful nieces and nephews. She will be fondly remembered by her sisters Barb and Carol, her brothers David and Stephen (Kim). She is predeceased by her sister Janice.

Patricia Anne Morrison was born in 1947 in Ottawa to parents Ian and Connie Morrison and grew up in Deep River, Ontario, the oldest of six children. Growing up, she was an active member of Girl Guides and explored her world through bowling, curling, hiking, and swimming, becoming one of the town’s lifeguards and swim instructors. Affectionately known as “Patsy”, she excelled at school and earned her way into Queen’s University to complete her Bachelor of Science, with honours, where she met her future husband and life-long friend Kenneth Kisman.

Together, Pat and Ken continued their studies at the University of Toronto where she earned her Bachelor of Education degree before being married in the beautiful Massey Hall Chapel. They continued hiking and canoeing the lakes of Algonquin park with their friends before embarking on a great adventure to France, where they enjoyed three years of fine French cuisine (served by the French navy), Mediterranean beaches, and hiking in the Alps while Ken worked for the French military as a civilian scientist. Pat explored and immersed herself in learning French and started their family while taking a break from teaching.

Their first son, Derek Kisman born in Toronto, was their reason for returning to Canada and soon after found their way West to follow the oil boom, completing their family with the birth of their son Stephen Kisman in Calgary. Patricia’s move West blazed the trail for her sisters and brother, helping them along with spare rooms and family gatherings in the home where she lived for more than 40 years, creating countless memories for her loving extended family, children, and friends.

Her home became the center of our family ‘clan’ from which she arranged many family hiking trips and shared many memorable buffet meals of ‘Chinese’ food afterward. She was known for having a place family and friends could count on for big and small gatherings alike, with a welcoming meal. While on hikes, she would always carry extra food and water, to the delight of other, less prepared hikers she invariably met along the way. Stories of her giving away bags of GORP, or days’ worth of food to hikers and canoers they met are many, as were her telescopic wine glasses and boxed wine which would often show up at the top of mountains, or in the most remote locations, to help ‘savour the view’. She always hiked at the back of the pack so no-one felt too slow nor would be left behind. Between her bear spray and the sister’s contagious laugh, they never had any bear problems that couldn’t be solved with standing her ground, banging pots and pans, and maybe snaping a photo of a retreating bear’s behind.

Everyone had memories of staying in Patricia’s welcoming spare room, for a holiday, moving West, a quick stay on their way through, or family moving in and out. Even when her sister Janice became ill with ALS, she converted parts of her main floor into a home where her sister could live her best life while receiving needed care, much of it directly by Pat. She made everyone welcome, as per their need, like no other.

Patricia’s adventures included being fortunate enough to travel to many exotic places in the world. From her early years in France and exploring the tastes of Europe to her escapades crossing both the Arctic and Antarctic circles and her Australia trip with Janice, she saw pretty much every continent, even when it meant leaving on a plane hours before her first grandchild was born, she was able to do it all. Her “famed” grandma Etta would have been proud of her spirit, her bravery and for exploring the world and its people.

Eventually her health caught up to her. A heart attack made her leave the career she loved, one where she was respected and surrounded by friends. Later, Parkinson’s took the strength and energy she devoted to those around her and to her love of life. She pushed to live every day to the very end, surrounded by family.

Teacher, mother, aunt, helpful to all, loving and accepting, with a drive to seek adventure (with a detailed plan, a map, and extra food in her pack), that was who Patricia was and how she’ll be remembered. A life fully lived with family, fresh air, and a caring heart, she will be missed greatly.

A Memorial Reception will be held Foster's Garden Chapel, 3220 – 4 Street N.W., Calgary (across from Queen’s Park Cemetery) on Sunday, February 8, 2026, from 2:00-5:00 p.m.